Volvo’s sporadic presence in this market fuels a bit of scepticism from our experts

For a lower entry price than you’ll pay for either a BMW 520d or an A6 2.0 TDI, Volvo gives you an automatic gearbox, adaptive cruise control, active LED headlights, TFT instruments, a 9.0in internet-ready infotainment system with full-screen sat-nav.

Also chucked in are automatic folding mirrors, a powered bootlid and a raft of modern active safety systems – almost all of which will cost extra on the BMW.